Waterloo Historic District

Waterloo Historic District spans about one mile along Waterloo Street and Newmarket Street, featuring buildings from the second half of the 19th century. The structures display various architectural styles and include both residential and commercial buildings from that era.

The area started as a mill town in the 1770s, with the first sawmill operating from 1789 and water-powered industries growing along the Warner River. This waterpower-driven development shaped the community for more than a century.

The district was home to William E. Chandler, a U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy, and Nehemiah G. Ordway, who served as governor of Dakota Territory. These connections to national figures shaped the place's standing and identity in local memory.

The district is walkable, allowing visitors to explore multiple preserved structures including a covered bridge from 1875, a historic tavern, and two old train stations. The buildings spread across the two main streets, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

A mill building from 1836 stands beside railroad tracks and the river, showing the industrial past of this place. The visible foundations of earlier structures tell the story of the intense economic activity that once defined it.